TARANAKI.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1792, 15 November 1862, Page 3

TARANAKI.

(from our own correspondent.)

November 10th, 1862; The steamer from Nelson with the Colonial Secretary on board, being expected on the Tuesday, the preceding Friday, a meeting was convened in order to take into consideration the most approved method of " pumping " the Minister , so as to obtain from him some iuforraation :as what was the intended policy towards poor Taranaki. During the discussion that ensued, Mr. Baily stated, that it was now tbe time to speak, for if assistance did not quickly arrive, he, for one, would be utterly aud hopelessly, ruined ; he bad not the advantage that others have bad during this protracted struggle, of being a captain of a company, or of; receiving remuneration from other sources. To tbis a speaker replied, stating tbat although be was a Captain, there was a skeleton eveu beneath his roof, but he did not choose to tell every one of it. If this is the case, if one who has had good pay throughout, besides constant employmentin tbe commissariat for many working bullocks, acknowledges himself in a state of ruin, what must be, the sufferings of those poor settlers tbat bave bad nothing more s than tbeir small pay as privates in the Militia. A little assistance at the present moment, would save, many a property from passing iuto other bands and at the same time enable the owners to remain iv the land of their adoption, so much loved by all, with the hopes of eventual prosperity once again beaming forth. Iv the colony the occupying of land by ; - industrious immigrants who effect improvements by capital raised on mortgage, is not a new idea, this being done, suppose all of a sudden some accideiitu I circumstance arises to check every industrial pursuit, aud what is tbe result ? but the property for which they have been striving to establish as an heir-loom for their families is iost to them for ever. Examine in case of general warfare the position of the Ahuriri. A large tract of countiy is purchased by one owner by means of scrip, who again leaves the property allowing an extended purchasing clause, suppose war' should devastate the country so as to prevent these men from fulfilling the terms ur agreement, will there not be utter ruiu amongst the aspirant bwuers of a family property. The case is [not one of a mere matter of loss of time, but one in wbich the best of tbeir years has been spent in accumulating that whicb is at once without . fault of, theirs, taken from tbem, they become to all inteuts and purposes reduced to hopeless pauperism, with no longer the energy of youth to urge them forward. . - ' I am not now writing as a fault finder, or mere petty agitator, for the colony bas ; behaved excessively liberal, and sympathised with us to the furthest extent ; my object in thus describing our position, is to convince you that,, the present, impoitunate cry from, Taranaki, does not arise from a mere feeling of discontent, but it is an earnest appeal to save ere. it is too late. ■'.-■■ Tbe following resolutions were adopted at the meeting, but Mr. Domett not baying arrived by the steamer, tbey were forwarded 'to Nelson for his consideration. That a Deputation be appointed {to wait upon the Colonial Secretary to abtain from him "'information upon the following points :— ' ■ ' "_ ' '". 1 . What prospects he can hold out to the settlers of Taranaki aa to their being able to re-bc-cupy and cultivate their lands this summer. 2. In the event of his Excellency not considering it advisable on Imperial or Colonial grounds to reinstate the Taranaki settlers upon their farina this summer, what action the Government will be prepared to take with a view to ' placing the Taranaki people in a position to become once more a self-supporting community. 3. What steps the Government intend to take with regard to the £200,000 voted by the General Assembly for the purpose of reinstating the settlement of Taranaki and the inhabitants. 4. Whether if the settlers toward the end of the summer deem that they are obliged to . leave Taranaki, the Government would be prepared .to assist them and to what extent, And, also, to obtain "any further information in their power upon the present and future prospects of the settlement; to impress upon the Colonial Secretary the demoralising influence of the p:resent system' of relief; and the advisability and desirability of distributing the money voted by the Assembly for reinstating the ' settlement of Taranaki and the inhabitants, immediately, as the best means of effecting the object the Assembly had in view. -.„..", .;.,,., The Natives on both sides of the. town, "appear quiet, not even a murmnr being heard., - Tbe iron sand is still in statu quo, it is a pity something cannot be done either to compel tbe company to work in compliance with the terms of their lease, or to relinquish it altogether.:^ W. I. G.